Zimbabwe Q&A

I officially got the word that I am going to Zimbabwe! If you know me well, this may not surprise you as I have been talking about going to Africa for a while now. I thought I would try to go ahead and answer some of the most common questions I've been getting. If you have any others I would LOVE to talk about it so please ask!!

Why do you want to go to Africa?

That's a very good question! Looking back, I can see how God was preparing me for mission work from a very young age. When I took my first mission trip at age 16, the Lord got ahold of my heart and I knew I was doing what I was made for... but I was unsure of what that meant for the rest of my high school/college/adult life. Throughout college I had some really awesome friends who encouraged me to keep seeking God's will in this area of my life, and eventually He began to show me how the pieces fit together. Through trips overseas to El Salvador and the Philippines, I was able to serve others using my training as a nurse and see opportunities open up to share God's love as well. No, I have never been to Africa, but it is a place that has been on my heart for a long time. I'm excited to see what kind of job God has in store for me there! I'm not a "super-Christian," I just really believe Jesus meant what he said in Matthew 25; "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." 

Where is Zimbabwe exactly? 

Right above South Africa. Here it is! 

What are you going to be doing?

Haha what am I not doing in Zimbabwe... First of all I will be coordinating college student volunteers who are coming on short-term trips to renovate the local hospital. That will take place mostly in the summer, and the rest of the year I will be involved in different ministries at a local orphanage (Zimbabwe has 1 million orphans-- that's 1 out of every 4 children-- and 71% are orphaned because of AIDS), schools, and doing community health education. But basically just taking the love of Christ to those who need it the most :)

What organization are you doing this through?

The Journeyman program, through the International Mission Board.

How long are you going to be there?
Two years.

When do you leave?
I will go to training in October and then leave for Africa in January, Lord willing!

Will you get to come home during your 2 years?

Possibly.  

Do you have to raise support?
I am fully funded through the IMB Cooperative Program. But! I am raising prayer support! Ask me how you can be involved in that.

How safe is this? Aren't you scared?
You know, none of us have the guarantee of tomorrow, whether in Africa or the US. I would rather be stepping out in faith than shrinking back in fear. To paraphrase David Platt, you will never stand before God and hear him say, "I wish you had kept more for yourself" (whether that means time, money, comfort, or safety). Having said that, the IMB has ministered in Zimbabwe for a long time; the career missionaries that I will be working with have been there over 20 years and have seen many successful Journeymen come and go (that's for you, mom and grandma!)